Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

This medicine is given as a shot under the skin of your thigh, stomach, or upper arm. It may be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital or clinic. If you are using this medicine at home, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Be sure that you understand how to use this medicine.

This medicine should come with a patient information leaflet and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. Do not inject into skin areas that are bruised, damaged, red, hard, tender, or scarred.

Your doctor should tell you to take vitamin A supplements while using this medicine. Do not take more vitamin A than your doctor has recommended.

Allow 30 minutes for the autoinjector to warm up to room temperature. Do not warm using heat sources (eg, hot water or microwave).

Check the liquid in the autoinjector. It should be clear and colorless to yellow. Do not use the medicine if is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it. Do not use the autoinjector if it looks damaged or if the clear cap is missing or not attached.

To use the autoinjector:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
  • Hold the autoinjector by the middle with the clear cap facing away from you. Remove the clear cap by pulling it straight off. Do not twist it off. The needle is inside the orange needle shield.
  • Do not recap the autoinjector. Do not push the orange needle shield against your hand or finger.
  • Hold the autoinjector in one hand. Place the orange needle shield at a 90 degree angle against your skin. Push firmly and hold the autoinjector straight against your skin. You will hear a click as the injection starts. You may hear a second click, which is normal. The injection is not finished.
  • Hold the autoinjector against the skin for 10 seconds to make sure full dose has been given. Do not move, turn, or change the angle of the autoinjector during the injection.
  • Check that the orange plunger rod has moved down to fill the entire viewing window. If you do not see the orange plunger rod, you may not have received the full dose.
  • Remove the autoinjector by lifting it straight up. The orange needle shield will lock into place and cover the needle.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage forms (autoinjector):
    • For polyneuropathy (nerve disease):
      • Adults—45 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin on the same day of each month.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

If you miss a dose, inject it as soon as possible. Then, inject the next dose 1 month from the date of your last dose to get back on your monthly scheduled time.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

You may store this medicine at room temperature for up to 6 weeks. Throw away any unused medicine after 6 weeks.

Throw away used autoinjector in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Portions of this document last updated: March 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.